Does a fitness instructor who can be your best friend, give you loyalty and devotion and who, even better, despises the gym, sound too good to be true?

Well, it is true! A unique phenomenon in fitness is sweeping the UK that is set to fight the flab not only in humans but in their four legged friends who are feeling the effects of our inactive lifestyles.

More fun than going to the gym and running on a treadmill, dog agility – a sport that involves see-saws, tunnels and jumps as well as man’s best friend – is being signed up to in record numbers as more and more people come to see the sport as a way to combat obesity in both dogs and their owners.

People, who have lost up to half their body weight with the help have come forward top tell their tales to the and that is why the Kennel Club has launched a Fight the Flab with Fido information guide, to help even more people get involved in the sport and see the benefits that can be gained  - for both dog and owner -by taking part (see pdf below).

The increasing popularity of the sport can be seen as 2,500 dogs entered the Kennel Club’s fourth International Agility Festival on 8-10 August 2008 – 20% more than in 2007 – making it the world’s biggest agility show. There are around 300 Kennel Club registered agility clubs where people can sign up and get involved with the sport.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: “Dog agility is really growing in popularity and no wonder when it’s such a fantastic way to get fit – helping people to change their inactive lifestyles and giving the dogs the exercise they are often lacking as well.

“So many people have seen their lifestyle change completely as a result of taking up the sport and are reaping the benefits in terms of weight loss and improved health. There is no excuse not to get fit when you are being egged on by the eager eyes and wagging tail of your dog.”

Alarming research by the PDSA has found that one in three dogs in Britain is overweight and that peoples’ lifestyles are affecting the health of our pets – with the areas with the most overweight people also seeing the highest levels of pet obesity.

However, dog agility – which is estimated to have 24,000 doggie followers in the UK – is a real answer to the problem. It is open and accessible to all dogs – from Chihuahuas to Great Danes – and to people, whatever their age, gender, or level of fitness.

Fight the Flab with Fido photo gallery

Kennel Club YouTube channel Fight the Flab playlist

Fight the Flab with Fido

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